Studentships

Our commitment to postgraduate researchers

The status of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) as a centre of scientific excellence is complemented by a prominent role in training the next generation of environmental researchers. Our postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, field sites and data centres, which they can draw on to support their research. More than 85 UKCEH supervisors work together in multi-skilled teams to offer a unique breadth of experience and knowledge to advise and assist PGRs throughout their training.

Postgraduate community

More than 170 PGRs are undertaking their PhD research with UKCEH. Many PGRs are registered with the Universities of Edinburgh, Lancaster, Bangor & Reading.

UKCEH is an active partner in 51 different studentship funding agreements, including two UKRI Centres for Doctoral Training and 10 Doctoral Training Partnerships, the Graduate School for the Environment, Marie-Curie ITN, Leverhulme Trust and as a collaborator with a number of CASE award partners. PGRs at UKCEH access a wide range of training and ideas from these connections.

What you can expect as a PGR at UKCEH

As a PGR at UKCEH you can access diverse laboratory facilities, field sites and data centres to support your research. UKCEH supervisors and staff offer a unique breadth of experience and knowledge to advise and assist you throughout your training in a multi-disciplinary environment.
UKCEH offers bespoke training for postgraduate researchers through early-career Skill Shares, Seminar Days and workshops. All postgraduate researchers are able to request one-to-one support in completing a personal training needs analysis.
PGRs at UKCEH are also eligible to attend a variety of specialised training courses developed for UKCEH staff and ecological and hydrological professionals.
In addition to your UKCEH supervisor, you will be supported by the Early Careers Advisor, Local Welfare Officers, Postgraduate Liaison Officers and your local Postgraduate Representatives. Together, they offer opportunities for you to reflect on your PhD, to receive support and gain mentoring for your career development.

Masters projects & research placements

If you are interested in ideas and supervision for a Masters Project or summer work experience during your degree, please browse our six science departments for details of current UKCEH research focus. Once you have found a group you are interested in joining, please contact the Science Group Leader (listed under each science department) outlining the reason for your interest, the nature of the project work you would like to undertake, suitable dates and how you would be funded. Projects and placements will be considered as our work priorities, funding or opportunities allow.

UKCEH has limited opportunities for supporting direct requests for summer research placements, internships or work experience at this time. We do however participate in the NERC undergraduate research experience placement (REP) programme and our scientists are submitting proposals to host summer 2023 projects. Opportunities are coordinated through UKRI Doctoral Training/Centre for Doctoral Training programmes - you can see the partnerships we participate in below. If you view the relevant DTP/CDT websites you will find information for summer REP opportunities when available, with projects expected to be hosted by various universities and organisations, including hopefully UKCEH.

UKCEH also participates in the Hydro-JULES summer intern programme, which is recruiting for summer 2023 interns.

We recommend applying to advertised opportunities where suitable if you are interested in gaining environmental science experience at UKCEH.

Current PhD opportunities

Please browse the list below for details of opportunities including doctoral training partnerships that UKCEH are involved with and annually offer PhDs involving UKCEH supervisors. Full contact details are provided on project adverts or on UKCEH staff webpages. Please check individual adverts for details of how to apply.

Graduate School for the Environment

The Graduate School for the Environment is a collaboration between UKCEH, the Lancaster Environment Centre and Rothamsted Research. PhD projects are available in Biological Science, Environmental Science & Geography. Opportunities are available to develop your own self-funded proposal, to apply for a funded position or to apply through a Doctoral Training Partnership.

Doctoral training partnerships (DTPs)

We generally offer PhD opportunities with these DTPs each year.

DTP	Further information
ACCE (Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment)	ACCE's vision is to develop motivated, confident & multi-skilled PhD students, undertaking cutting-edge research & tackling environmental science questions of global significance. Studentships are offered between the Universities of Sheffield, Liverpool, York & UKCEH in a multi-disciplinary environment including biologists, mathematicians, analytical chemists & policy experts. See all ACCE projects here. Opportunities with UKCEH for 2024: Impacts of climate change on the resilience of natural enemy communities for biocontrol of insect pests Effect of biogenic VOC emissions from urban trees on UK air quality: A consideration for large-scale plantings initiatives
CENTA (Central England NERC Training Alliance)	CENTA research spans six universities (Birmingham, Leicester, Loughborough, Warwick & The Open University) and research institutes (UKCEH & BGS). A critical mass of researchers in climate & environmental sustainability, organisms & ecosystems & the dynamic earth provide a range of training & facilities. Training is supported by end-users from industry to non-governmental organisations & government agencies. See all CENTA projects here. Opportunities with UKCEH for 2024: closing 10 Jan 2024 Challenges and opportunities for mitigation of agricultural soil greenhouse gas emissions through novel agronomic innovation Drone-based mapping of headwater and intermittent stream temperature and physical habitat Going underground: Above-below ground interactions for nature recovery in coastal sand dune wetlands
E4 (Edinburgh Earth, Ecology & Environment)	Edinburgh has one of the highest concentrations of NERC-remit research in the UK. The clustering of environmental research around Edinburgh means that E4 students are part of a vibrant community of researchers & professionals that extends to many opportunities in science, policy, charity & business activities. See all E4 projects here. Opportunities with UKCEH for 2024: closing date 4 Jan 2024 Assessing potential for recovery of degraded forests in Southeast Asia Does competition between hydrogen and methane consumption by soil microbes lead to climate impacts? Adaptive variation in the ontogeny and phenology of reproduction in Scots pine from the ancient Caledonian Pinewoods Aquatic emissions of carbon dioxide and methane and their controls using land, water and airborne measurements
Envision (Developing next generation leaders in environmental science)	Envision brings together a powerful group of UK researchers with industry & NGO partners to provide a new generation of environmental scientists with the skills, knowledge & experience they need to take on the challenges of a changing world. Led by Lancaster University, research falls into the 3 areas of environmental change, sustainable use of natural resources & environmental hazards & risk. See all Envision projects here. Opportunities with UKCEH for 2024: closing 10 Jan 2024 Accelerating phosphorus and nutrient cycling in the Greenland Arctic ecosystem soils Early warning of reservoir dam failure: harnessing novel ground imaging and machine learning technologies for enhanced hazard assessment
GW4+ (Great Western Four)	GW4+ identifies areas of complementary expertise across the universities of Bristol, Bath, Cardiff & Exeter to develop research communities at scale, to address major global & industrial challenges. The collaborative research & innovation of GW4+ recognises & builds on the industrial & research strengths of the South West, working across the natural sciences & encouraging collaborative projects between the universities, research institutes & industrial & public sector partners. See all GW4+ projects here.
IAPETUS	Named after the ancient ocean that closed to bring together England and Scotland, IAPETUS is a partnership that joins the leading research universities of Durham, Glasgow, Heriot Watt, Newcastle, St Andrews & Stirling, together with UKCEH, BAS & BGS, in a united approach to doctoral research & training the next generation of leaders in the science of the natural environment. See all IAPETUS projects here. Opportunities with UKCEH for 2024: closing 5 Jan 2024 Developing a spatio-temporal species distribution modelling framework for combining species distribution data
Oxford DTP in Environmental Research	The Oxford DTP in Environmental Research offers a world class, multidisciplinary training environment for the next generation of researchers working at the frontiers of Environmental Research. The Oxford DTP operates slightly differently, with two studentship routes. Some students are recruited direct to CASE or collaborative projects, while others are not admitted directly to project and apply to one of the three research streams (for students who wish to devise their own projects). See details of how to apply here.
SCENARIO (Science of the Environment: Natural and Anthropogenic processes, Impacts and Opportunities)	The scientific scope of SCENARIO is broad, spanning the physical, chemical and biological processes within the overarching theme of "environmental risk and sustainability" over a wide range of temporal & spatial scales. SCENARIO incorporates supervisory expertise spanning the science of atmosphere, oceans, ice, hydrology, soil, ecosystems & space weather. SCENARIO seeks to attract high-quality graduates from science, mathematics & engineering degrees. See details of all SCENARIO projects here. Opportunities with UKCEH for 2024: Changes in soil structure and hydraulic properties using long-term monitoring to unveil hydrological process dynamics and improve numerical model paramaterisation of soil-vegetation-atmosphere systems and support regenerative agriculture Nature-based Solutions Shining a light on short-term response of moths and their predators to climate extremes: harnessing the potential of automated AI camera and audio systems
SSCP (Science & Solutions for a Changing Planet)	The SSCP DTP harnesses world leading expertise from Imperial College London & Core Partner Institutions to offer a unique multidisciplinary PhD training programme. SSCP’s key scientific challenge is to understand & quantify complex biological, physical & human systems, & the interactions between them, in sufficient detail to predict & manage future change. This knowledge is used to develop innovative technical, business & policy responses to environmental & societal challenges. See details of all SSCP projects here. Opportunities with UKCEH for 2024 From lab to land: Advancing synergetic green technologies for the remediation of contaminated land

Centres for doctoral training	Further information
ECORISC (Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment Towards Sustainable Chemical Use)	The ECORISC Centre for Doctoral Training is a partnership between five universities and UKCEH, funded for six years with projects designed to better understand the risks of chemicals in the natural environment and how to best assess and manage these risks. It will produce a generation of innovator scientists that can identify, understand and effectively manage the risks of chemicals through the use of state-of-the-art science and out-of-the-box thinking. See details of all ECORISC projects here.

Centres for doctoral training

Further information

ECORISC (Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment Towards Sustainable Chemical Use)

The ECORISC Centre for Doctoral Training is a partnership between five universities and UKCEH, funded for six years with projects designed to better understand the risks of chemicals in the natural environment and how to best assess and manage these risks. It will produce a generation of innovator scientists that can identify, understand and effectively manage the risks of chemicals through the use of state-of-the-art science and out-of-the-box thinking. See details of all ECORISC projects here.